About hundreds of thousands of adults every year get affected by a painful and blistering skin infection called leg cellulitis. While the condition can occur in any part of the body, it is usually the lower leg that is commonly affected.

Leg cellulitis is a bacterial disease that occurs when streptococcus and staphylococcus enter the body through exposed cracks. Some of the common causes of cellulitis include crowding, frequent skin contact, unattended open cuts and abrasions, contaminated items, dirty surfaces, and lack of cleanliness and hygiene. Another common cause of cellulitis is the transmission of bacteria through spider bites and other insect bites.

The severity of cellulitis symptoms can be controlled by the available leg cellulitis treatment that includes drainage of skin blisters and medication. In more complex cases, leg cellulitis treatment involves the prescription of heavy oral antibiotics or injection of intravenous antibiotics. While the treatment can cure the condition, it is important that patients take leg cellulitis treatment seriously and finish the prescribed course as suggested by the doctor.

Based on the severity of the disease, leg cellulitis treatment includes a 10 to a 21-day schedule of oral drugs. The duration of the entire treatment and the dosage depends on the intensity of the infection, and the improvement of the patient’s condition. While the symptoms may subside within the initial days of medication, it is important that patients continue the leg cellulitis treatment to prevent the disease from relapsing. In case symptoms persist, it is important that you visit a doctor for further treatment. Often, patients affected by this condition complain of excruciating pain, pain relievers are prescribed in such scenarios. Many doctors also recommend certain exercises like raising the limb higher than the heart in an attempt to quell swelling. While in most cases, symptoms of cellulitis subside after conventional treatment, longer treatments may be required for patients with prevalent symptoms and fever.

While oral medication is the simplest of treatments, people with pre-existing medical conditions may need to get hospitalized to be monitored during hospitalization. Some of the diseases that require observation during cellulitis treatment include high fevers, high blood pressure, an infection that doesn’t respond to antibiotics, and more.

While treatment is an effective solution to the pressing problem, preventing cellulitis is equally critical and crucial. Cleaning the affected area, applying prescribed ointments, and covering the wound with a bandage can help avoid the disease from worsening.